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Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Emergency Response Program is getting a boost from Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. The $15,000 donation was announced earlier this week to coincide with activities commemorating International Credit Union Day.
“Our credit union network is proud to support Good Shepherd’s Emergency Response Program as part of our Campaign for Ending Hunger,” said Todd Mason, President/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League. “We also are pleased to be raising awareness about this critical fund, which allows Good Shepherd to swiftly and adequately respond to a food crisis wherever and whenever there is a need. We hope our engagement will encourage others to contribute to this fund as well.”
Good Shepherd Food Bank identified two immediate needs for the Maine Credit Unions’ donation. First, a portion of the funds will go to a food mobile in the Jackman area, where there is a significant and immediate need for healthy food. Second, the Maine Credit Unions’ donation will provide food credit and a new refrigerator for an Oxford area pantry. The refrigerator will increase cold storage capacity for the pantry and, as a result, the amount of healthy, fresh produce they’re able to accept for distribution to their clients.
“This fund benefits our partner network, and in some instances outside of it, too,” said Kristen Miale, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “This can take the shape and form of supplementing pantries with a food credit they can apply to orders, deploying the food mobile during times of increased demand, or providing funds for new equipment where there’s a necessity.”
Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Emergency Response Capacity Program is designed to increase strategic flexibility by integrating food mobile events and agency capacity building in order to respond to an emergent need or community crisis in the most efficient and effective manner possible.